Michigan State University Department of Anthropology
- In 1952, Toy Len Goon—a Chinese immigrant & widowed—was named U.S. Mother of the Year. Her granddaughter, Dr. Andrea Louie, shares Goon's story in Chinese American Mothering. 📚 spr.ly/63321CEsRd
- From childhood curiosity to forensic anthropology: Dr. Andrea Zurek-Ost joins MSU Anthropology as a research associate on MOSIAC—a $2.1M NIJ-funded project advancing identification methods. Read her story here! spr.ly/63320CBnBq
- Congrats to MSU Ph.D. student Intan Kumbayoni and team for placing 3rd in the Geneva Challenge! Their PATH project promotes peer-led health education for migrant teens—one of five global finalists among 313 teams. 🌍👏 #MSUResearch #GlobalInpact
- Support the next generation of Spartan anthropologists! Give today! give.msu.edu/?sid=701 #givingtuesday #msu
- Students in ANP 364: Fake Archaeology are learning to investigate pseudoarchaeology and analyze its spread on social media using digital tools in MSU’s LEADR Lab. spr.ly/633267W3io @leadr.bsky.social #Anthropology #FakeArchaeology #DigitalResearch #HandsOnLearning
- Congratulations to Dr. Stacey Camp on being appointed the new Curator of Archaeology at the MSU Museum! Read more here! spr.ly/6332979eUT
- Meet Laila Komis, whose love for cultures led her to anthropology. Now, through a PURI-supported project, she’s exploring how digital media drives movements for economic and social justice. 📖 Learn more: spr.ly/6332279l1G
- Thank you MSU Police for inviting Associate Professor Dr. Joe Hefner to speak at the Detective Bureau meeting! Hefner, a forensic anthropologist, shared how his work with MSU’s Department of Anthropology and Forensic Anthropology Lab (MSUFAL) can assist and strengthen local investigations.
- Graduate Student Association Annual Chili Cookoff was a blast! 🌶️ Thank you to everyone who came out, voted, and cooked up amazing chili and cornbread! 🏆 Chili Winner: Hot Stuff Comin’ Through 🏆 Cornbread Winner: Kernal Panic #ChiliCookoff #CornbreadChallenge #GradLife
- [Not loaded yet]
- What can ancient Indigenous cuisines teach us about culture & community? A new volume of essays explores how food shaped social life in the ancient Midcontinent. 📚 Learn more: spr.ly/633227pfEn
- 👏 Congrats to Gungun Islam on receiving the Dr. Delia Koo Global Student Scholarship! Her research in West Bengal, India, explores how infertility care is shaped by social, political & economic inequities. spr.ly/633237Ppdh #GlobalHealth
- Meet Kiana Sakimehr, recent Ph.D graduate whose dissertation centered on the emotional realities of Afghan refugee resettlement in Michigan. Her work reminds us that migration is not just political—it’s deeply personal. 📖 Full story: spr.ly/633277z2oJ
- Language can fuel conflict—or heal it. Indonesian youth in Ambon are using art, music & literature to counter disinformation and build peace. Read more: spr.ly/633227Em8C #Peacebuilding #ArtsForChange
- We are excited to celebrate Dr. Carolyn Isaac on her achievement of becoming a Board-Certified Forensic Anthropologist! Thank you, Dr. Isaac, for all your amazing contributions to our department, lab, students and the community!
- 📝 Big thanks to Dr. Joe Hefner for leading a CV workshop at the recent Anthropology Club meeting! He shared practical tips on what to include (and what to avoid) when crafting a CV that truly highlights your work. #Anthropology #CareerTips #CVWorkshop #MSU
- From childhood digs in the woods to excavating #archaeological sites in Tuscany—Don Henrikson’s journey as an anthropology student is fueled by his love for discovery. #FieldSchool #Anthropology spr.ly/63326AqAUy
- Dr. Stacey Camp hosted FIRST® LEGO League team from New Lothrop, MI to explore archaeology, STEM, and innovation through hands-on activities. This year’s theme: UNEARTHED™ — digging into the past to build a better future. #FIRSTLEGOLeague #STEM #Unearthed #Outreach
- MSU is developing its first CRM Lab, led by Dr. Phyllis Johnson, aiming to offer paid, hands-on archaeology training from undergrad to Ph.D. level. #SpartanArchaeology #CRM #Anthropology #SpartansWill spr.ly/63329Ab8V1
- We joined a medical ANP class led by Dr. Heather Howard, where students explored how Indigenous health is defined, understood, and researched. “I love seeing students respectfully learning from Indigenous peoples’ experiences, strengths, and insights,” she said. spr.ly/63320ApIfA
- Jules McClary, an anthropology major, spent her summer exploring Lansing’s history through an archival internship at the @lansingbwl.bsky.social Her passion for human history, culture, and art shines through in her work. Check out her story. spr.ly/63322AMYL8
- Week 1 in the 📚.
- Welcome home Spartans.
- Recent Ph.D. grad, Brian Geyer, began in music performance, moved into ethnomusicology, and transitioned to anthropology. After Peace Corps service in Kenya, his research focused on intersectional identities in Kenya’s tech sector. Read more in his recent Q&A. spr.ly/63323favaX
- Just dropped: Field Voices ft. Josie Cowles! As she heads into senior year, Josie reflects on her anthropology journey—from lab work to research. See what she’s been doing this summer + share your own story! #SpartansWill #MSUAnthro #Forensics spr.ly/63325fQluP
- Kelsey’s journey from grad school to full-time artist demonstrates the versatility of anthropology. Now with her own weaving studio and exhibits in the books, she’s modeling how her creative practice and cultural interests are building community. spr.ly/63326fUmTY
- Out of 1,100+ participants at MSU’s UURAF 2025, only 3 were named grand prize winners—and 19-year-old anthropology grad Sasha Franklin was one of them! Her project uses #ArcGIS StoryMaps to turn Maya archaeology into an interactive experience. spr.ly/63328fdwd8
- Check out the latest Graduate Voice featuring Kelly Sullivan, a 2024 MSU grad in biology and anthropology, now excavating history at Colonial Michilimackinac. #GradVoices #Archaeology spr.ly/63321f1CYl
- Senior Paige Topping joined MSU students, faculty & alumni in Tuscany for the Monteverdi Field School. Read about her archaeology journey abroad! 🇮🇹 #MSUAbroad spr.ly/633274aUsN
- Even when malnourished, mothers in Kenya protect their breast milk during drought—thanks to social support, behavior, and biology, says Dr. Masako Fujita in her new study. spr.ly/633284qQ0A
- Congrats to recent Ph.D. grad Sara Tahir! Read about her research that examines global transnational migration from Pakistan and her future plans in her Q&A! spr.ly/633234jwMc
- Dr. Joe Hefner & Ph.D. student Savannah Holcombe teamed up with vets to improve dog knee surgeries. Using 3D scans & fluorescent markers, they mapped ligament points to reduce surgical risks. spr.ly/633264Pt20
- 🎓 Congrats to recent Ph.D. graduate Rhian Dunn, new Asst. Prof. at Western Carolina University! Read her love for forensic anthropology and why she chose MSU in her Q&A! spr.ly/63322NfgeA
- MSU’s Dr. William Lovis & the late Maurice Haag uncovered 2,000-year-old wolf mandibles in Michigan—rare evidence of Illinois Hopewell presence. Read more: spr.ly/63322NfeMg
- New book features MSU’s Dr. Heather Howard and Priyanka Jayakodi’s research on COVID-19’s global impacts. Read Covid’s Chronicities free online. Read Covid’s spr.ly/63328NNfJn
- Meet our recent ANP Ph.D. grad, Juan Carlos Rico Noguera! Discover his passion for anthropology, love for MSU and his research on the Columbia National Police. spr.ly/63326NF5oy
- Meet Olivia “Livy” Drexler, recent MSU Anthropology Ph.D. grad! Check out what inspired her to pursue anthropology and stay tuned for more Q&As with our recent Ph.D graduates! spr.ly/63325NQyIZ
- Check out our latest edition of Field Voices: Spartans in Anthropology, featuring Ryn Van Winkle. Want to share your voice? Submit your story today! spr.ly/63327NgBCH
- Last Thursday, Dr. Wrobel participated in an open day at the local high school in Sarteneja, Belize. He talked with students and other members of the community about archaeology and the work he is doing there this summer creating a map of the ancient settlement in the area.
- Congratulations to Gungun Islam, an anthropology doctoral student, for winning first place in the 2024-2025 Shao Chang Lee Best Paper Competition. Islam described receiving this award as a 'powerful reminder' that her research is significant. spr.ly/63323NkeyP
- Congrats to our incredible Class of 2025 graduates! We are proud of you and can't wait to see your remarkable impact! 🎉 #ClassOf2025
- Congratulations to our doctoral students on your incredible achievements! Your dedication and hard work have led you to this milestone. We are proud and excited for your future contributions!
- [Not loaded yet]
- From passion to purpose, Adena Norwood’s drive to reach her dreams is truly inspiring. Graduating in Anthropology & International Development, she’s the College of Social Science commencement speaker. Congrats, Adena! Go Green! spr.ly/61842vqAI
- MSU's MOSAIC project, led by Dr. Joe Hefner, aims to create a computer program producing holistic biological profiles of human remains, funded by a $2.1M NIJ grant. Exciting research ahead! msutoday.msu.edu/news/2025/ms...
- It's been a fantastic semester filled with discovery, dedication and growth. We're incredibly proud of our students for their perseverance and commitment to learning. 💪💚 As the semester comes to a close and finals approach, keep your #SpartanWill in focus and finish strong! 🌟
- LEADR celebrated its 10th anniversary this academic year! Since 2014, this partnership between History and Anthropology has provided unique hands-on educational opportunities. Congrats on 10 years! 🎉 Check out photos from the closing celebration event.
- Congrats to Melissa Teja for winning the Outstanding Student Award for Undergraduate Research! Melissa started at MSU seeking a communications degree, but after taking Introduction to Archaeology and studying abroad in Belize, she discovered her passion for anthropology. Read her story! 🔗 in bio.
- Congratulations to Sasha Franklin, our graduating senior with a perfect 4.0 GPA, who received the Board of Trustees' Award. She completed her degree in three years with a B.S. in Anthropology and minors in Women’s and Gender Studies and Classical and Ancient Mediterranean Studies. #SpartansWill
- Can artificial intelligence (AI) help forensic anthropologists identify individuals faster and more efficiently? Yes. A new study has found a way to enhance and accelerate human identification. spr.ly/61862GAHj
- Congratulations to all our students who participated in UURAF 2025. We were inspired by your research and enjoyed the amazing interactive components that brought your work to life. Keep up the amazing work! #UURAF2025 #StudentResearch
- Happy Graduate Student Appreciation Week! A big shout-out to our amazing graduate students! Each of you brings unique skills and experiences to our department, and we are so grateful for all of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for choosing to be a Spartan. Go Green! 💚
